ROBERT EARNSHAW revealed he staggered out of his sickbed to play in Cardiff City's Division One opener at Rotherham.

The 22-year-old goal machine started against the Millers - even though he had missed virtually a week's training with flu.

Earnshaw was bed-ridden for two days last week, but a shortage of forwards at Ninian Park - Peter Thorne (foot) and Gavin Gordon (hamstring) are both injured - meant City boss Lennie Lawrence had little option but to play his star striker.

"I've been struggling with flu all week," the Wales striker told The Western Mail after Saturday's 0-0 draw against the Yorkshiremen.

"I was in bed on Tuesday and Wednesday and I didn't train on Thursday and Friday because I was still bad.

"It was touch and go whether I would play because the last time I trained was on the Monday.

"You'd have to ask the gaffer if he would have played me if either Peter or Gavin was available.

"Jason Bowen and James Collins can play up front but at the moment we are down to two recognised strikers - myself and Andy (Campbell)."

He added, "I was suffering throughout the match. I couldn't breathe because I was blocked up.

"To be recovering from flu and then play in the hottest weather possible made it tough for me. I'm just pleased I got through it."

Earnshaw, who squandered City's best chance of the match, was taken off with just under 10 minutes left.

If he has recovered sufficiently by tomorrow, Lawrence might rest him for the Carling Cup match against Leyton Orient at Ninian Park.

"I'd say physically I was at 70 or 75 per cent against Rotherham. I didn't have my usual energy. Whenever I made one or two runs my legs turned to jelly," he said.

Earnshaw missed a gilt-edged opportunity to open the scoring after seven minutes when Mike Pollitt saved his close-range strike after John Robinson put him clear with a delightful ball.

"I've never felt so uncomfortable playing football,'' said Earnie.

"It was like being in a sauna - that's the only way I can describe it.

"The fact we wearing a black kit was the icing on the cake for us. It wasn't a light kit, either. It was heavy and that put even more pressure on us."

Earnshaw, who netted 35 league and cup goals for City in the last campaign, was pleased to leave South Yorkshire with a 0-0 draw.

"We were outplayed at times but we stood strong. This is a massive point for us.

"I know people are going on about us not scoring enough goals but I think we've got players here who can score."

Referring to his early chance, he said, "I turned and the 'keeper was right in front of me. There was nowhere I could really put the ball.